Follow the Fader

Bill Callahan Finds a Tempered Peace in Horses and White Light

Bill Callahan has a voice deep like a plum pit, unchanging and calmly warm across albums. But his tone never betrays feelings, that's more for the album's accoutrements. Does the snare sound like a death march? Does a harmonica howl like a lost coyote? And never, until now, has his album art relayed much strong feeling. But for Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle (due April 14th on Drag City), he's opened himself up to warmth.Look at Chris Taylor's cover photo of horses and white light! Such bliss! This is not to mention the title. What if you and someone else conjoined and then became an eagle? You could soar and look regal. Bill Callahan would see you in the sky and write a song about love.